Apparently, campaigns run on Dunkin'

If politicians really do represent the people who elect them, then it's official: Dunkin' Donuts is Massachusetts' coffee shop of choice.

Candidates running for office throughout the commonwealth spent a total of $15,753.96 in campaign funds at outposts of the Canton-headquartered chain last year, more than 10 times the $1,567.53 spent at Starbucks locations, according to reports filed with the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

While some of the purchases at Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks are for purposes explicitly listed as "coffee," others bear such descriptions as "meetings expense" or "political breakfast."

Of the 67,550 reported campaign expenditures in 2012, 266 were for coffee, for a total of $15,682.73.

That is a small fraction of the total $39.9 million spent by candidates for state office and political-action committees, but the cost of a caffeine fix is still more than the price paid for some other campaign staples.

For example, candidates reported spending $15,257.26 on posters and $14,706.65 on electric bills.

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge reported three charges at Dunkin' Donuts, the most of any area candidate. The Acton Democrat spent a total of $78.68 on coffee for meetings.

State Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, a Leominster Democrat, and former state Rep. Rich Bastien, a Republican from Gardner, each visited the popular chain once. Bastien spent $20.92 to feed campaign volunteers.

The $159.

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27 Flanagan spent at Dunkin' Donuts puts her at the top of the list for local spending, after her campaign picked up the tab for coffee at an October pasta supper with U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern.

Massachusetts campaign-finance law dictates that funds can only be expended "to enhance your political future, so long as it's not primarily personal," said Jason Tait, director of communications at the Office of Campaign and Political Finance.

Tait said a politician who brought along refreshments when discussing campaign issues with elderly voters would be spending in that spirit.

"If a candidate goes to the senior center and does not bring coffee and doughnuts, they're probably going to lose about 30 votes," he joked.

Coffee-related purchases made throughout the year include cups or gift cards for volunteers and staff, office coffee makers and refreshments for meet-and-greets with constituents.

The amount candidates spent on coffee varied wildly.

Members of Second Thoughts, a committee opposing the ballot question that sought to legalize physician-assisted suicide, spent just $3 on coffee at the State House café during a legislative briefing. Former state Sen. Steven Baddour, a Methuen Democrat, spent $1,561.43, on coffee and food from Boston's Ashburton Cafe for an event on his last day in office.

Not far behind Baddour is House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones, a North Reading Republican, who spent $1,282.66. Among Jones' purchases throughout the year were seven orders of coffee for his Statehouse office, each totaling more than $100, and a new coffee machine for the office.

The most frequent coffee buyers in 2012 were state Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez, D-Jamaica Plain, with 25 coffee-related expenditures, state Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield, with 19, state Sen. John F. Keenan, D-Quincy, with 14, and Dracut Selectman Cathy Richardson, who unsuccessfully ran for state representative. Richardson's 10 coffee purchases were all at a Dunkin' Donuts in her hometown.

Of the 350 expenditures at Dunkin' Donuts, the most spent in a single trip was $400, when Lt. Gov. Tim Murray's campaign purchased that much on gift cards to supporters.

Defeated Governor's Council candidate Bart Timilty's 16 trips to Dunkin' Donuts made him the company's most frequent customer.

State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, D-Boston, spent $616.45 at Dunkin' Donuts alone -- the most of any candidate.

Tait, from the state OCPF, said candidates should remember they can only use campaign money for coffee purchases that are for political purposes.

"If you're buying coffee and doughnuts for your family, that would be personal," he said.

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